Top Signs Your Home Sewer Line is Clogged or Storm Damaged

Sewer lines can become clogged or damaged over time, so it helps to know some of the warning signs. If a clogged or damaged sewer line isn’t repaired, the repelling odor will only get worse.

A downed sewer line might even backup into your home or business, which could be a real mess. Below are a few of the tell-tale signs to watch out for if you think you might be dealing with an issue with your main sewer line.

Clogged Toilet

Perhaps the most common signal that you have a sewer issue on your hands is a toilet that’s clogged. Clogged drains or a gurgle coming from multiple drains would also be a sign that something isn’t right with your sewer lines.

Sewer problems often reveal themselves through clogs in the shower drain or bathtub.

Backing Up

If you flush your toilet and notice water starting to back up or gurgle in your shower drain, then you might have a serious sewage line issue on your hands. Remember, these kinds of plumbing issues aren’t prone to working themselves out and will almost assuredly get worse if not dealt with in a timely fashion.

Water that backs up after flushing your toilet or a gurgling sound could indicate that the water that would normally run smoothly down your drains is hitting a clog somewhere along the line. What you’re hearing with all of that gurgling is water backing up into other drains.

One very specific symptom that your sewer lines are clogged or malfunctioning in some way is a gurgling toilet as you run the sink in your bathroom.

Similarly, if you notice that running your washing machine causes your toilet to start gurgling and the water in your toilet to rise, then you know that the water is attempting to drain but having a hard time doing so because of a probable clog in your sewer lines.

What Causes Clogs?

A clog in your sewer lines is frequently caused by flushing something down the toilet that shouldn’t have been flushed down the toilet. Putting the wrong items through the garbage disposal is another common cause of sewer clogs.

Dangerous Items

It might not seem like much of an issue, but your flushing greasy foods and viscous fats down your garbage disposal on a regular basis is bound to cause a clog at some point. What are some no-no items for your toilet? The most frequent cause of sewer line clogs with toilets are: facial tissues, diapers, cotton swabs, and paper towels.

Landscaping Debris

Believe it or not, tree roots and bushes can damage sewer lines. This kind of damage can eventually cause drainage issues in your home. If the damage is extensive enough, then the sewer line leading to your home could have to be replaced immediately.

Damage to Sewer Pipes

Sometimes sewer pipes can get damaged or even collapse after years of reliable service. It happens. When it does happen and damage to a sewer pipe occurs, then sewage backups can happen. What initially causes this kind of damage? Corrosion around cast iron pipes is the primary culprit.

What Can You Do?

A drain cleaning is the best way to head off the possibility of sewer line issues. You can get your drains cleared and be clued into a problem before it becomes an actual blockage. A trenchless sewer line replacement might be recommended.